Kick-Back Friday: #131

Winter's Bone

(2010): An unusual KBF recommendation, solely because the movie is still in theaters. Winner of this year's Sundance Grand Jury Prize, Winter's Bone, based on the novel of the same name, is the story of a poverty-level teenager in the Ozarks, who searches for her meth-producing, bail-jumping father, while sustaining a fragile, nuclear family.

Inevitable comparisons are to be made with the superior Frozen River of 2008 (another Sundance winner), which was carried with greater skill by a truly exceptional (and considerably more mature) leading actress (Melissa Leo). But Winter's Bone is still worth the price of theater admission, even if one is to endure the likely distraction of popcorn munchers. In fact, consider your crude company part of the Sensorama experience.

In addition to Jennifer Lawrence in the lead role (who's probably getting more adulation than she deserves for her performance), Winter's Bone features veteran supporting actor John Hawkes of "Deadwood" fame and a nearly unrecognizable Sheryl Lee (Laura Palmer of "Twin Peaks") in a very bit part.